| Author |
Message |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 16 October, 2005 - 01:01 pm: | |
Has anybody else had the terrible experiences I have had with the so called Quick machines at the station
I have tried on a number of a ocasions. Succeeded just once. Usually give up after 5 mins.
Yesterday I saw 2 other people being driven mad by these machines.
I never had any problem with the old machines. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 16 October, 2005 - 08:17 pm: | |
I too have suffered! It took me ages to get it to work. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 16 October, 2005 - 11:12 pm: | |
It would be helpful if these Not-so-Quick machines sold Oyster cards.I'd love them for ever if they did.
Impossible to buy at main rail stations in the suburbs, and impossible to buy travel cards anymore in central London.
Apparently this is due to a long running difference of opinion and budget constraints on Southern- ie they would need to buy new ticketing equipment and can't afford it just to service the suburbs. So as usual the customer loses out, by losing the standard 5% discount when you buy locally, and also when my ticket runs out over a weekend and I forget to renew it at London Bridge- hence have to buy a single into LB where I can then buy my Oyster. Thought this was all meant to be so simple, but no, suburban stations are clearly another world. Works out at around £100 per annum worse off, and that's before the annual rises in fares. And now next week I have to spend 4 hours per day getting to and work because of more shenanigans on Northern Line.
GET IT SORTED , TIM O'TOOLE AND LIVINGSTONE - OLYMPIC CITY ? WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!! |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 09:49 am: | |
I had to queue for about 15 minutes for them this morning. One machine wasn't working, so there was a 30ft line for the chasiers and the one working 'Quick-ticket'.
Luckily, I have no interest in my job so I managed not to seethe quite as much as the other people queuing. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 10:08 am: | |
Roz,
Can I use an oyster card at Forest Hill station? |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 11:50 am: | |
If Forest Hill is bad try Gatwick. With the old fashioned ones I could at least get a cheap ticket to Croydon and then look forward to an interesting conversation with the ticket collector about why I had not got a ticket all the way.
Two machines which only dole out tickets for the Gatwick Express - so I'll pay twice as much and take twice the time to go via Victoria? and two more out of action.
There were some more but they sound as useful at the ones at FH. By the way Otterboy, do you get paid well for your work? If so, I can to that, giss'us a job.... (quote would only mean anything to those of us over 35). www.imdb.com/title/tt0083689/ |
Cllrdavidwhiting
Joined 07-12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 12:07 pm: | |
I will forward this thread for the agenda of the next Transport Liaison Committee.
The machines certainly need a look at on several grounds, and are willing to do some odd things on ticket pricing, such as quoting for a first class ticket to Clapham Junction!
Incidentally, to maximise his savings, the ticket BD should ask for from Gatwick is not to Croydon, it's to 'boundary of zone six' which is further out than Croydon. They don't have any problems at Liverpool Street for the Stanstead run, so you can get a return for £9.50 if you've got a London all zone rail pass. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 12:28 pm: | |
Horay, got my first response from the Councillor (but would welcome views on the young tykes that stole my daughter's bike). Hope you join your liberal counterpart in pushing traffic calming around Honor Oak Road.
Fare structure is a fascinating subject, particualrly if your an anorak. Some of the staff at FH are more aware than others! But on the Stansted run, it is cheaper (potentially much cheaper) to buy a ticket from FH than Liverpool Street as the latter do none of the normal network south east reduced fares. At least going to Gatwick there is some proper competition between train operating companies. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 01:18 pm: | |
If you value your self-respect and bank manager, you really wouldn't want a job where I work, BD. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 17 October, 2005 - 01:18 pm: | |
Sherwood
Re Oyster
If what you mean is can you use Oyster at Forest Hill, the answer is yes, although the inspectors don't always have the little hand held machines to hand, and when they do, they don't always work, so best to keep your receipt on hand and prepare for a heated debate. They
have to let you through if they have no equipment.
You cannot however buy Oyster at Forest Hill for the reasons described above. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 18 October, 2005 - 01:03 pm: | |
Can anyone advise little old me where in SE 23 one can purchase a shell fish card.
I use buses on average once a week. Would it be worth me having one.??? |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 06 November, 2005 - 12:11 am: | |
Last time I went to Forest Hill station I missed the first train because the queue at the ticket office was nearly out of the door! I used to be able to get a ticket from the machine quickly. Now there are queues at the machines as well! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 06 November, 2005 - 08:57 am: | |
Yes these new machines are a total waste of time and money.
I will not even attempt to use them now after many failed and time consuming attempts |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 14 November, 2005 - 06:37 pm: | |
Yesterday the one outside worked for me, although the one inside didn't. A few days ago I saw someone fixing the one inside, although seems he wasn't that great at it. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 - 08:20 am: | |
Problem is the touch pads. They seem to have a habit of registering the adjacent station or fare to one pressed.
Disaster |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 - 09:18 am: | |
with me it was my card - the first machine didn't seem to notice I had one. |
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 - 02:08 pm: | |
The grumpy ticket seller was actually quite helpful the other day - 1-0 to the man vs machine |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 - 04:27 pm: | |
They need to sort out the painfully slow software and their tendency to swallow perfectly legitimate cards. Then they'll be OK.
Apart from the randomly touch sensitive screens. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 - 09:22 pm: | |
I wonder if they would prefer us not to buy tickets and then they can fine us £20.
However, last time I went to the station the train was already in the station when I arrived, but the man in the ticket office sold me a ticket before it left. Well done! I would have missed the train if I had used the machine. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 November, 2005 - 07:33 am: | |
To be honest I have found the gentlemen in the ticket offices very friendly and helpfull if you are to them.
To many customers / clients , tend to treat them like dirt. One of the worst examples is when a so called member of the public ( I call them ignorant ) carries on a mobile conversation whilst being served. If I were them I would refuse to serve anybody who does not give them 100% attention. |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 November, 2005 - 10:41 am: | |
I think "very friendly" is going a bit far. Some of them are nicer than others, but as with any human being, even the grumpy ones can usually be won round with a bit of politness and charm.
I'm afraid I'm guilty of the phone thing, but in my defense I always tell the person on the other end I'm buying a ticket and can they wait a moment. |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 November, 2005 - 11:11 am: | |
I can't see how they can be offended if you are buying a ticket whilst on the phone telling your boss why you are going to be late for work again. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 November, 2005 - 02:21 pm: | |
Maybe it is me but when buying anything at a shop etc you should , in my humble opinion , give
the person behind the counter your undivided attention |
Otterboy
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 17 November, 2005 - 03:17 pm: | |
In general, I totally agree.
But by the same token, when offering a vital service (especially a not overly cheap one), the customer should expect a reliable, fully functioning product, staffed by approachable, willing people. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 November, 2005 - 11:38 am: | |
I used the train to got to town again this Monday. I had to queue up behind people who had just got off the down train buying tickets for the next day/week. Obviously they were not in a hurry because they were on their way home. It took so long to buy my ticket I only just caught the train.
Why can we not have a ticket machine just for tickets to London? |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 November, 2005 - 03:40 pm: | |
There is anotice at Forest Hill railway station that says that we cannot use an Oyster card there.
Not very helpful. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 23 November, 2005 - 11:15 pm: | |
I don't know what the notice says, but I use my Oyster all the time from here= this might be just prepay as some of these tickets cannot be used outside the tube network. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 November, 2005 - 07:23 am: | |
Slightly side stepping the issue.
Where in se23 can one buy a shell fish card |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 November, 2005 - 09:39 am: | |
Roz,
It does say prepay.
I don't understand what the difference is. |
Roz
Joined 17-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 24 November, 2005 - 10:30 pm: | |
You can either buy prepay where you effectively charge up your card and you run up a tally against this each time you touch your card on the thingy. Or you can like me buy an oyster monthly thingy. Clear? I wish. |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 25 November, 2005 - 01:38 pm: | |
Yes but where can I get one of the confounded cards |
Ophelia
Joined 18-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 25 November, 2005 - 01:52 pm: | |
I don't think there is anywhere in SE23 where you can get them. You can get one at New Cross Gate but I think it's only if you have the train and zones 1 & 2 as well. I only have a season ticket for the train and couldn't get one for that. Otherwise you can get them at tube stations and then use them for the tube and for buses. |
Simon
Joined 18-07-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 25 November, 2005 - 04:18 pm: | |
Seems you can get them online?
https://sales.oystercard.com/ |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 27 November, 2005 - 12:05 pm: | |
Well looks like another great idea from our Fuehrer , only seems you cannot buy in the locality. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 23 December, 2005 - 03:25 pm: | |
The ticket machines at Catford are just as confusing! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 January, 2006 - 08:19 am: | |
What is a pain is that the earlier machines were fine. These try to do too much.
Please simple machines would be a help. There are not many people who want to buy a senior citizen , ticket to Kyle of Lockalsh. |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, 12 January, 2006 - 09:40 am: | |
Yes. I only buy a ticket to London or a daily travelcard. |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 13 January, 2006 - 05:42 pm: | |
I note there's now a bill board add for oyster cards in FH town centre, even though you can't actually buy or use them here. The words salt and wound come to mind... |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 06 February, 2006 - 10:40 pm: | |
I used Catford station today. The machine there was very simple. Just press M for Maidstone East. Then select standard day return. There was no queue for this machine.
Hopefully, we will get a similar machine at Forest Hill. |
Blushingsnail
Joined 21-12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 07 February, 2006 - 10:18 am: | |
You can use the TfL website to search for newsagents etc that sell Oyster cards tickets (but not annual travelcards): http://www.tfl-ticketlocator.co.uk/ . There are loads in SE23. |
Jo108
Joined 03-03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, 10 February, 2006 - 08:40 pm: | |
It's not that the machines aren't easy to use that gets me, it's that half the time they don't work. I missed a train trying to use one the other day, when I was there in plenty of time for it. Was very frustrating at the time. But the one inside does seem to be working OK now, the last couple of times I've tried it. Maybe they've fixed it...? |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, 18 February, 2006 - 10:39 pm: | |
I was at Victoria railway station yesterday. The queue for the ticket machine was so long I gave up and caught the bus home.
There was no queue for the ticket machine at the bus stop! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 20 February, 2006 - 07:30 am: | |
The old machines were far better in my humble opinion.
Also the machine in the inner santum I believe only takes cards. Great for a monthly return to Kyle of Lochalsh but a cheap day return to Sydenham. |
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 20 February, 2006 - 10:44 am: | |
Is there a reason both machines can't be cash & card?
When cash machines will only accept the exact fare it needs to be more clearly displayed, most people don't find out until they try putting money in the machine and it is refused.
Just a thought..whenever it has said exact fare only the machine has never accepted any money...software bug or communications breakdown? |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Monday, 20 February, 2006 - 10:59 am: | |
I used Catford ststion recently.
The machine there worked much better.
A notice suggested that their machine is going to be rolled-out to other stations. |
Dulwichmartin
Joined 22-02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 22 February, 2006 - 02:54 pm: | |
And just how many times do I have to put my £10 note into that machine? |
